Ice Harvesting in Michigan in the Early 1900s
In the early 20th century, Michigan was a major producer of natural ice, with harvesting operations taking place on frozen lakes and rivers across the state. The industry was particularly strong along the Great Lakes, in cities like Detroit, Saginaw, and Grand Rapids, as well as smaller inland communities where cold winters provided thick ice for storage and sale.
Michigan’s Ice Harvesting Process with Horses
Choosing the Ice Fields
Michigan’s many lakes and rivers provided ideal conditions for ice harvesting. Popular locations included the Detroit River, the Saginaw River, Houghton Lake, and other inland lakes. Harvesters looked for ice that was at least 12 inches thick, preferably 18-24 inches for strong, durable blocks.
Clearing the Ice Surface
Snow was removed using large wooden scrapers pulled by horses. This prevented uneven melting and allowed for smoother cutting.
Scoring the Ice with Horse-Drawn Plows
Workers used horse-drawn ice plows to score deep grooves into the ice. These plows had large iron blades and were guided along the surface, creating a grid pattern for uniform block cutting.
Sawing and Breaking the Blocks
Once scored, men used long-handled ice saws to cut along the lines. Ice spuds (sharp poles) were then used to pry the blocks loose.
Transporting the Ice
Horses played a crucial role in moving ice from the water to the storage areas:
They pulled large sleds loaded with ice to shore.
In some cases, conveyor belts were used to lift ice from the water onto sleds or wagons.
At larger commercial sites, ice was floated down open water channels to shore, where it was hoisted by mechanical lifts.
Storage in Ice Houses
Once harvested, the ice was stored in insulated ice houses, where blocks were packed tightly with sawdust from Michigan’s logging industry. Properly stored ice could last well into summer.
Delivery and Distribution
Ice was distributed via horse-drawn wagons, supplying homes, breweries, fish markets, and railcars. Cities like Detroit had large ice delivery operations, with icemen delivering blocks to households before home refrigeration became common.
Major Ice Harvesting Locations in Michigan
Detroit River: Large commercial ice companies operated here, cutting and storing ice for city residents and shipping ice by rail.
Saginaw Bay & River: The logging industry in this region provided both sawdust for insulation and a workforce familiar with outdoor labor.
Houghton Lake: One of the state’s largest inland lakes, it was a key site for local ice production.
Lake St. Clair: Supplied ice to both Michigan and neighboring parts of Canada.
Decline of Ice Harvesting in Michigan
By the 1920s and 1930s, mechanical refrigeration began replacing natural ice, and the demand for harvested ice declined. By the 1940s, most Michigan icehouses had closed, though some smaller-scale operations continued in rural areas.
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